CASE STUDY: BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY RETAILER, LICHTBLICK

Leading Germany’s Energy Transition

“Working with Kerri has been nothing short of transformative for LichtBlick. Her expertise, coupled with her fearless approach and ability to distill complex challenges into actionable insights, has propelled our organization forward in ways we hadn't imagined. Kerri's impact extends far beyond the recommendations she provided; she instilled a sense of clarity and purpose that continues to guide our efforts towards organizational excellence.”

Thomas Rahn, LichtBlick

The Problem

Difficulty in aligning objectives and team efforts with customer outcomes
Implementation of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) made it difficult to get the whole team on board
Challenge in distinguishing between "outputs" and "outcomes", impeding the ability to measure the true impact of company initiatives.

The Solution

Undertake a comprehensive audit and analysis to identify key pillars for improvement including Strategy, Delivery, Cadence and People with 20 specific recommendations.

The Result

Rapid implementation of 17 out of 20 recommendations, leading to immediate impact within the company with definitive plans for the remaining three.
Adoption of a structured approach differentiating the treatment of outcomes and outputs.
Development of a new reporting standard for prioritising company initiatives emphasising outcomes and fosters clarity and purpose.
Establishment of a force-ranked list of key programs ("Company Initiatives") that unite interdependent program teams across delivery.
Redefined rhythm of key annual and "seasonal" activities and outcomes at various organisational levels.
A greater focus on optimisation of processes in order to facilitate faster decision making and prioritization at all company levels.
Ability to remain adaptable in a heavily-regulated, ever-changing industry.

About LichtBlick: Leading Germany’s Energy Transition

LichtBlick is a pioneering energy provider dedicated to driving the energy transition in Germany. For over 25 years, the company has stood at the forefront of the renewable energy push sweeping across Europe, spearheading Germany's shift towards sustainable power solutions.

As a vertically integrated company, LichtBlick offers a diverse range of energy solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers. From green power initiatives to cutting-edge photovoltaic and batteries, LichtBlick is committed to making clean energy accessible and convenient for all.

Since the company’s beginnings, LichtBlick has grown exponentially, now serving approximately 1 million customers. The company’s approach to the energy market has evolved to embrace the concept of "prosumers," individuals who both consume and produce their own power, reflecting the changing landscape of energy consumption.

The Challenge of Shifting Mindsets

In the energy industry's ongoing transition to renewables, organizational efficiency is crucial for staying competitive. As this transition will eventually reach completion, companies must streamline operations, encourage innovation, and prioritize customer outcomes to remain at the forefront of the market.

Implementing a company-wide Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) program marked a pivotal shift for LichtBlick, reflecting a trend towards outcome-oriented thinking. Used by some of the world’s leading organizations, OKRs aim to set ambitious goals with measurable results, fostering alignment and engagement across teams.

LichtBlick’s goal was to organize and translate their objectives into tangible customer outcomes, and have clear visibility into the success of their initiatives. During the transition for LichtBlick, OKRs provided a structured framework for goal-setting, but they often resulted in mixed outcomes, with a predominant focus on outputs rather than impactful results.

The crux of the issue lay in the difficulty of distinguishing between outputs and outcomes. While outputs comprised a list of tasks to be completed, outcomes represented the desired customer-centric results. This delineation hindered the organization's ability to discern the true impact of its actions. Overall, the company wanted a more strategic ability to prioritize their initiatives to drive a greater impact for their customers and results as a company.

The Solution

Working with Kerri

"Her direct approach, coupled with a sense of urgency, resonated with LichtBlick's team, driving momentum and fostering a culture of accountability and results."

Kerri Rusnak's background in organizational consulting and her track record of driving transformative change made her the ideal partner for LichtBlick's endeavors. With years of experience in facilitating strategic planning and implementing operational improvements, Kerri brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table.

Through a thorough process of interviews and analysis, Kerri audited LichtBlick's organizational dynamics to identify key challenges and opportunities for improvement. Her process included an in-depth round of interviews with the LichtBlick team to identify any blindspots or inefficiencies.

Kerri's collaboration with LichtBlick culminated in the development of a comprehensive report that encompassed the results of the audit, the new strategy, and the proposed execution of that strategy. Through her report, Kerri helped the LichtBlick team develop a new template for creating and prioritizing company initiatives, along with a clear delineation between outcomes and outputs. Presented to LichtBlick's leadership in a collaborative workshop, Kerri's insights gained widespread support, paving the way for meaningful change.

Kerri's involvement did not end with the presentation; she remained actively engaged in supporting LichtBlick through the implementation phase. Her direct approach, coupled with a sense of urgency, resonated with LichtBlick's team, driving momentum and fostering a culture of accountability and results.

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